Questions were raised about the strategic wisdom of arranging matches against Belgium – a much better collection of talent than most people realized – and powerful Germany ahead of three critical World Cup qualifiers.

The United States met those two European heavies on U.S. soil as prep for Friday’s contest in Jamaica and for the two matches ahead on home soil.

Is anyone still asking those questions?

No, things weren’t perfect last night in Jamaica, but these CONCACAF matches away from home soil are always going to be unlovely pieces of work. The sketchy fields and occasional hostility that mark the visits into Caribbean and Central America lands mean one thing: you grab the points any way possible and get on the plane.

The stylish stuff can come at home, if it comes at all. Never mind a lost lead Friday.

Never mind if Jermaine Johnson and some of the other Jamaican speed men gave the U.S. back line some headaches. Never mind (for now, at least) if the United States gave up another set piece goal. Never mind if Brad Evans had an iffy night – before that one massive moment helped make it a very, very special night.

Never mind if Clint Dempsey couldn’t find that one instant to help put his stamp on the game, or if Fabian Johnson looked stretched in his new role as a midfielder. Never mind any of it. At this point, those are all details and perhaps topics to talk about in the days ahead.

The United States collected three absolutely huge points on the road, and we have to look back at two tough contests against quality opposition and wonder if they lent a big hand?

Consider that Klinsmann started the same lineup for consecutive matches for the first time in his time in charge here, almost two years now. That means a lot. And consider that the last time he rolled out that lineup, four goals fell in against Germany, the world’s most successful soccer nation this side of Brazil.

And can there be one itty bitty bit of doubt that Jozy Altidore’s confidence soared when he hit that well-arranged, technically perfect shot against Germany? We all saw the weight of it all spring off his shoulders at that instant – and big “instant” in the big World Cup qualifying picture, we can surely see now.

Altidore had a clunker against Belgium – same as everyone else. But a message was delivered to he and everyone else, and they responded with a better outing against Germany. That became a table-setter for Friday’s massive three points in Jamaica.